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Category: Activism

There are many social justice organizations in the United States and around the world. Some work locally, nationally, or internationally. All serve an important purpose in preserving people’s rights.

Sometimes those in government, in particular, overstep their authority and abuse a person’s human or civil rights. These types of organizations can give a voice to those who are otherwise hopelessly outmatched in every way by those who are in positions of power.

In Washington state, there are many organizations of this type. One that protects the rights of those who are undocumented or a migrant is the Colective Legal del Pueblo, for example. This group gives these people legal support when their rights are violated. They also help build strong communities among these groups of people. Read more: Village Voice Media | Wikipedia and Phoenix New Times | Wikipedia

Another similar organization is El Centro de la Razza which supports the entire Latino community in the state. Their mission statement is to help build a unity that includes everyone of every race and economic condition.

In California there are also many nonprofits pursuing justice. There’s the American Civil Liberties Union, of course, which has chapters across the nation.

There are also other examples such as the California Immigrant Policy Center which advocates for inclusive policies in that state. Another one is the California Civil Rights Coalition which operates across the state. They address many issues such as unfair housing and an unfair criminal justice system but they also fight for social equity and equality and the rights of everyone.

In the state of Arizona there are also those who fight for other’s rights. One of these is the Frontera Fund. This fund was founded by two journalists who had their civil rights violated by the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Joe Arpaio.

Jim Larkin was an Irish trade unionist, socialist activist and legendary folk hero. He is credited with the establishment of the Irish Workers’ Union. The workers union is the precursor to the current labor movement in Ireland. It also laid the groundwork for Irish industrial unionism. He believed all workers should be members of one big union. He is also associated with the Irish Labour Party.

Jim Larkin traces his roots back to England in 1874 where he was born. Jim Larkin grew up on the other side of the tracks in Liverpool. He dropped out of school when he was eleven years old. He depended on menial jobs and ended up as a foreman on the docks. Having a full time job made him more responsible. He started dabbling with literature and discovered charity as well as politics.

He lost his job at the docks in 1905 when he was let go for participating in a workers strike. Thereafter, he became a member of the National Union of Dock Labourers and quickly became a staunch labor activist.

He was posted to the Belfast branch of the labor union in 1907. He launched a labor activist publication titled “Irish Worker” in 1911.

He used the journal to showcase his editing skills to great success. Around the same time, British workers went on strike. He used the conflict to rapidly grow the membership of the workers union.

His activism strategy involved mobilizing large groups of workers to strike against the employers. He also organized anti-war protests in Dublin at the onset of World War I. He migrated to the US shortly thereafter. However, his hardline socialist stance landed him in trouble in the US. Learn more about Jim Larkin: https://www.biography.com/people/james-larkin-215214

He continued to promote his socialist ideologies through freelance activities and as a public speaker. He was an eloquent speaker with a natural talent in leadership.

He was forced to move back to Ireland in 1924. He continued his labor activism. He was instrumental in opposing the Trade Union Act of 1941. He used the labor movement as a lifeline to gain back his earlier popularity.

The efforts paid off in 1943 when he gained entry back to the labor party leadership. He remained the most prominent symbol of solidarity in the labor movement. He died in 1947 in Dublin, Ireland.

Civil human and migrant rights are socially constructed fundamentals that have been established to ensure peaceful coexistence of communities with different cultures.

There are numerous civil, immigrants, and human rights foundations that have been established globally to foster social minority acceptance, human protection as well as world peace. The American Immigration Council is a good example of these organizations.

The American Immigration Council

The American Immigration Council is a non-profit organization based in Washington DC which works to shape Americans feelings towards immigration in respect to the United States’ immigrant history.

The organization fosters the formation and implementation of policies and laws that honor America’s immigrant past. It also promotes the development of positive attitudes towards the immigrants amongst the American citizens.

The organization runs programs that educate the American citizens about the invaluable contributions of the immigrant communities; both in the past and present; to the rich American culture.

These programs are inclusive of education and international exchange programs whereby scholars are given the opportunity to experience different cultures and are educated on cultural tolerance and acceptance.

The American Immigration Council works to ensure fair judicial process for immigrants whereby immigrants are empowered to stand up for their rights. The organization also ensures that government is held accountable for injustices against the immigrants.

Through research and analysis, the council educates the American citizens on the enduring contributions the immigrants have made in America and promotes the formation of rational immigration policies in regards to fundamental American values.

The programs of the council are funded through donations from various sources including the Lacey and Larkin Frontera Fund.

Lacey and Larkin Frontera Fund

The Lacey and Larkin Frontera Fund is a fund dedicated to funding immigrant’s rights organizations in Arizona.

According to Biz Journals, the fund was established by Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin who are the founders of Phoenix New Times and Village Voice Media. Lacey and Larkin dedicated the $3.75 million settlement from their incarceration on October 18, 2007, in Maricopa County by Sheriff Joe Arpaio to the Lacey and Larkin Fund.

The journalists, Lacey and Larkin, were arrested for disclosing the proceedings of a sensitive court case that sought after reporters’ notes on articles about the Sheriff. The grand jury had also demanded for the provision of the identity of the citizens who had read the news articles on the same that published online.